CED Participates in Upskill America Workforce Summit at White House

Today, 24 million U.S. workers are stuck in low-skill jobs, unable to gain the needed education and training to move up the economic ladder.

In support of a private-public effort, CED recently participated in a White House summit to promote policies and practices that expand economic opportunity for low-wage workers. The event brought together the UpSkill America coalition, a group of 150 companies, labor organizations, non-profits (including inaugural member CED), educators and technology innovators, all of whom are committed to achieving upward mobility for those on the front lines of our nation’s workforce.

At a pre-summit event organized in partnership with the Aspen Institute, our Education Subcommittee Co-Chair, Michael Chesser, gave an overview of CED’s just-released research report that documents how select U.S. companies are helping their workers gain additional education and skills training, along with the challenges that prevent them from doing so. The report, “The Role of Business in Promoting Educational Attainment: A National Imperative,” can be viewed here.

During the day-long summit CED was invited to disseminate the report materials such as an executive summary and infographic at a special interactive session for all attendees. Companies which participated in our research activities and also highlighted during the event include Xerox (CED Member) and CVS Health.

Remarks were provided by Administration officials Vice President Biden, Secretary of Labor, Tom Perez, and Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker. A summary of information from the summit working groups will be sent to participants including CED’s Vice President of Education Programs, Cindy Cisneros.

CED expresses thanks to Michael Chesser and to all Members that contributed to the development of our new educational attainment report, which led to our involvement in the UpSkill America coalition and White House event.

Related Content

The Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board (CED) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led public policy organization that delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions to our nation’s most critical issues.